The Inferno A Writers Challenge

PLEASE COME IN......If you dare

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000

Ahoy Wandering Cyber Explorer,

You have stepped aboard a ghost ship...be careful where you walk, Sailor. There are things unleashed and they do bite. Don’t be afraid. You’ve come this far...

If you dare, please feel free and welcome to browse our hallowed decks full of the best our Wordsmiths have offered up from their souls.

*We have been taking a long literary slumber but are still very artistically active.

Please come visit us at The Artist Challenge.

We’ll be waiting for you.
The Crew of the Inferno

The Joke

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:52:00 +0000

The Writers of

THE INFERNO

present:

Gallery 34

'The Joke'

April 2, 2011

Attention Readers: To use any of the work you see in this gallery in another publication, contact the writer at their website link listed with their work.

The work in The Inferno is created for a mature audience. Some pieces may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. Viewers visit our site at their own discretion.

The Joke - Riika Infinityy

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Doppelgangers of Comedy

My Fellow Passengers

Please Wait...

Loading In Progress...

Dimension: Dayka

Current Location: Rikayana

"You have arrived at your alter world successfully..."

Alter world?

Are you serious?

A boat trip turned into

traveling across dimensions?

No way...

"Would you mind take a photo for us?"

A turn of fate and

I am looking at myself

Shock. Surprise.

A camera lay gently on my hands

Reacting on its own

The eyes of wonder and fantasy

"Delilah! Save meeeeee! Noooo!"

Apparently I saw Celestyna

drowning in Dayana's hair of water...

*shook head*

Eh, isn't that my alter ego self, Celestyna?

One that I had drawn long ago?

If Celestyna is here,

means...

"This is the most amazing sauna ever! Hehehe..."

And there is Delilah enjoying herself in

my hair of flames...

*shook head*

I knew it! Delilah is here as well!

Wait a minute, why is my hair on fire?!

I went over the camera and look

at my other self.

Different. Strange.

"What a nice weather, warm and cozy. Ah~~~~"

Oh my, didn't she realize she is sleeping

in a pool of flames?

What is Celestyna doing over there?

"Oh, Butterfly! Bling Bling!!!"

I gave an annoyed yet awkward look (=_=")

Celestyna was catching butterflies

as she is turning around

my hands

Sorry,

make that my

doppelganger's hand.

"Look at me! I can balance so easily *_*"

Hope you don't fall, Delilah.

It is going to look bad if you do.

She is holding a cute umbrella.

Oh wait a minute,

what am I thinking?!

I am supposed to get out of

this strange dimension!

"To infinity and beyond!"

Celestyna was concentrating

real hard to get up to

Dayana's shoulder

Where is the infinity she is going anyways?

Oh man, this is crazy!

I need to get out of here...

Uh-oh, no way...

It is time to run!!!!

"Riika, wake up and stop dreaming!"

A cup of water

cleared my mind

Reality is back

with a strange photo

I fell off my chair

immediately

It was the picture that I didn't take in time

It wasn't a dream

It is the return of Celestyna and Delilah.

Our fellow alter ego selves of comedy

Celestyna popped out of the photo

and her eyes sparkled with stars

"To infinity and beyond!"

Noooooo! This is not happening!

What am I thinking?!

*shook head*

~The End~

*Story & Artwork with additional

Credit to Dayana for the drawings of Delilah

(Please click on image for greater detail)

Deadly Butterfly Betrayal

Inspiration: Two years ago, Dayana (Tributes of Sonia Editor) and I had a project of creating our alter ego selves and drawing them out as a stick-girl figures to highlight things and events that happened in our lives. Both Celestyna and Delilah were made for comedy, and guess what? They are back once again!

The Joke - Vikki North

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:50:00 +0000

My Dear Mother

To My Dear Mother,

We have always been so close and I have tried to be a good and loyal son. I want to take the opportunity to tell you, and pray you will understand, that I have certain needs that you cannot supply. I love you dearly but I must cut the cord between us now. I hope you are not heart broken. I have met a young woman and I shall be spending time with her this evening. Please don't be upset. I shall be back home and in my room before midnight.

Your Loving Son, James

To My Dear Son,

Do not despair. I received your letter and thank you for your honesty. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I also have certain needs that you cannot supply and pray you understand. I’ve rented your room to my hair dresser for a little extra cash-o-la! I would also like to inform you, that while you read this, I will be whopping it up with the man behind the curtain. Therefore, I will not be available for another sitting before noon tomorrow. Don’t wait up, Son.

P.S. - Hope the painting is a real winner for you!

Your Loving Mother

Painting & Story by Vikki North
The Red Chair Gallery

The Joke - Sarah Donnellan

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:49:00 +0000

Hoodwinked

With his Magic Elixir
He goes,
From town to town,
From door to door.

He has a lightness of step,
A wink in his eye,
And a slight tip of his hat.

“Hello, lovely Ma’am, kind Sir.”
He charms his way in,
And they are his to finesse.

“Have you ever wished to be
Cured of all your ails?”
He asks caring and concerned.

(Leaning in, he whispers…)
“Between us a secret shared,
For your worthiness,
I saw a mile away.”

(Pulling a small bottle out of his bag…)
“In here I have some magic,
A tonic cure-all.
I have here, my Magic Elixir!”

“Come, let’s look at your wallets.
Simply empty them
Into both my open hands. ”

“You are of the lucky few
Who do now possess
Power over what ails you.”

I beg of you to beware
Of that charming knock.
Please do not open the door!

And so,
With his Magic Elixir,
Let it be the next town.
Let it be the next door,
And not yours!

Sarah Donnellan
Artistic Rhythms

Inspiration: Many can relate to being hoodwinked by some kind of questionable salesperson. Years ago, I naively opened my door one day to let a charming gentleman demonstrate the wonders of HIS elixir on my frustratingly hard to get clean carpet. What was a miracle in the moment was probably bleach mixed with water and a regret mixed with a charge that I could not get undone!

*Image (from the 1890s) in Public Domain

Upcoming Challenge - The Joke

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:01:00 +0000

joke [johk]

–noun

1. something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, as a witticism, a short and amusing anecdote, or a prankish act:.

2. something that is amusing or ridiculous, especially because of being ludicrously inadequate or a sham; a thing, situation, or person laughed at rather than taken seriously; farce.

3. a matter that need not be taken very seriously; trifling matter.

'The Joke' is our next FREE

literary theme challenge

(writers and artists are welcome)

Interpret this

however you choose,

witty pirates!

*If you wish, please send along a relevant image and a few words about your inspiration*

Due date for 'The Joke' is SATURDAY, April 2, 2011

(by 7pm Central Time)

Send entries to the Mistress HERE.

Tender is the Night

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:54:00 +0000

The Writers of

THE INFERNO

present:

Gallery 33

'Tender is the Night'

March 19, 2011

Attention Readers: To use any of the work you see in this gallery in another publication, contact the writer at their website link listed with their work.

The work in The Inferno is created for a mature audience. Some pieces may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. Viewers visit our site at their own discretion.

Tender is the Night - Lelan Gimnick

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:53:00 +0000

What Darkness Reveals

O Day! My judge, my examiner, you shrieking Harpy; go now to the opposite side of this blighted orb! Tarry you there and scrutinize with impish delight the malformations and fumblings of the wretched souls farthest from me. Long enough for this time have you bowed my head and beaded my brow under the weight of your ridicule. Your light gives life and comfort to those who care not about any matter save what they believe to see. No thought given to things which must be felt, heard, or inspired to have import- only the fleeting, bleating solace wrought from stark impressions of scathingly illuminated veneer. Mutely your denizens clamor, "Trouble me not with truth which is to be gleened from sweaty toil such as reasoning and deduction. Burn on, oh bright Day so that we may see all and think no more!"

Hasten to me now, Mistress Night! My confidant, my muse, you beautiful respite; come now and find me where I wait. Sojourn with me and ruminate awhile. Ponder the blessed calm; still, though teeming with Life. Bestow your forgiving cloaks of shadow upon stooped shoulder and weary soul. Whisper to me imaginings of peace and justice upon the vagrant wind. Shroud this rotting landscape and grant your sister, Earth, a few hours' reprieve from shame. Hide from me the lies of shallow perception and those who worship them. Delight with me as they scurry from your approach for fear of facing that from which daylight protects them. Fervently and reverently I whisper, "Pass to me your quiet ways and still truths; the way to discern absolute truth by peering beyond the image seen. Rest here, sweet Night and teach me of what darkness reveals."

Lelan Gimnick
Impossible Fantasy Studio Fine Art

Tender is the Night - Riika Infinityy

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:22:00 +0000

NYX

Born of Chaos

Shadow and Darkness

The lineage of doom and death

spread across her world

Retribution and Deception

never fade across

her past and present

The beginning of

the first born

mesmerizes the realm

by her chanting

and

when the dreamy night

came and felt

within the darkened soul

should

Nyx

the

Goddess of the night

appear in

the 'mansion' beyond the universe

and be kissed and loved by

the night of darkness

Riika Infinityy

Tender is the Night - Rusty Harden

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:20:00 +0000

"Cease Upon the Midnight"
original drawing by Rusty Harden

The Darkling Sky

Drinking in the midnight air
The stars above with twinkling glare
Euphoria and endless pain
Reconciling thoughts in vain
The reflection pool is quite deep
The serpents come, in wake or sleep

Hope grows pale but never dies
Happiness visits in disguise
Shameful glories mince and prim
Joyful sorrows to the brim
“Oh, to slip away unseen”
Plaintive cries become serene

Rusty Harden
A Brush With Rusty

Inspiration:
An awareness of our contradicting emotions that exists simultaneously. Fitzgerald's novel "Tender is the Night" gives us a view into that reality.

Tender is the Night - Ray Shuell

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:19:00 +0000

We Are Stardust We Are Golden

We are stardust we are golden
This I found out in my youth
The knee bone’s connected to the thighbone
This I also decided had truth

It’s all just one big jukebox
As we flip from track to track
We put in our coin and make a selection
And know there’s no turning back

Everything springs from dust and ashes
In the end that’s where it returns
In the heavens the planets dance to the music
Of stars that continue to burn

The song it continues to echo
In my head as another one starts
It’s a kind of immortality
Arriving as we depart.

Ray Shuell

Tender is the Night - Ann Field

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:18:00 +0000

The Tender Night Happy Therapist

Patient-
“ Doctor, how long will I have to stay here?”

Doctor-
“We’ll see. Running nude down a public street during the middle of the night and waving a flag that says ‘Be Happy!’ - is not an example of someone who has a handle on reality.”

Patient-
“That’s not true! It was completely rational and well planned! It’s certainly better to run naked at night -than in the middle of the day! Wouldn’t you agree?”

Doctor-
“Well….”

Patient-

“I love night time. It’s the perfect stage to bring happiness and I knew that’s what my nude parade would do. You see, Doctor, it’s the small things that make us happy. Don’t you agree?”

Doctor-

“Yes…well I would agree but…”

Patient-

“I consider myself the The Tender Night Happy Therapist. People tend to think about what they’ve accomplished at the end of the day and most are just not happy. They feel they haven’t had any fun and they’re bored. I simply give them something to talk about and get them out of their own self absorbed depressed thoughts.

One of my all time favorite happy schemes is to get on a city bus at the end of the day. I situate myself and then lift my little purse up and jiggle it around just to get everyone's attention. . Then I open it a crack, look inside and say… ‘Are you okay? Can you breathe in there?’

You should see the passenger's faces!”

Doctor-

“Why would you do that?”

Patient-

“They look at each other, connect and some even laugh out loud. They have something to talk about other than their woes. Tell you what Doctor. The next time you get in an elevator, tap someone on the shoulder and when they look around, pretend it wasn’t you. See what happens.”

Doctor-

“Well that’s enough for tonight. Your medication should be taking hold about now.”

The Doctor walked out of the room and got into the hospital elevator. Several of the night shift nurses crowded in and all stood stoic and quiet. As the elevator moved the Doctor tapped one on the shoulder. When the nurse looked around the Doctor acted innocent.

As he got off the elevator, he heard them whispering and giggling.

The Doctor smiled.

Ann Field

*Painting courtesy of the Red Chair Gallery
“F. Scott Fitzgerald”- Master Series
The Red Chair Gallery

Tender is the Night - Sarah Donnellan

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:17:00 +0000

Intoxicating Moon

Under the moon where we find ourselves suddenly,
With the night darkness wrapping around all of us,
Hypnotizing, we’re captured, held by her bright glow.
Lightheaded, dizzy, thereby uninhibited.

Waxing and waning, we are intoxicated.

Watching from above over all cast by her spell,
Uniting mortals with those of a fantasy,
Powerfully impelling bizarre behavior,
According to the nature of your character.

Waxing and waning, we are intoxicated.

Like the moon gracefully passing through her phases,
So too, are we transformed by the love and the lust
In ways uninspired by outside of this world,
This magical place and seemingly timeless space.

Waxing and waning, we are intoxicated.

Daylight leisurely creeps in, her hold unfolding.
Mortals start to waken, fairies begin to dim.
Whether were a dream or no, we vow to return.
For now and until next our meeting together…

Waxing and waning, we are freed.

Sarah Donnellan
Artistic Rhythms

Upcoming Challenge - Tender is the Night

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:14:00 +0000

"He knew that there was passion there, but there was no shadow of it in her eyes or on her mouth; there was a faint spray of champagne on her breath. She clung nearer desperately and once more he kissed her and was chilled by the innocence of her kiss, by the glance that at the moment of contact looked beyond him out into the darkness of the night, the darkness of the world."

Tender is the Night, a famous novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), about the life and deterioration of Dr. Dick Diver, who falls in love with a mental patient. It is considered one of Fitzgerald's most important works, even though it was considered a failure at the time of its publication.

Interpret this however you choose,

literary pirates!

*If you are so inclined, also send along a relevant image and a few words about your inspiration*

Due date for 'Tender is the Night' is SATURDAY, March 19, 2011 (by 7pm Central Time)

***And hold on to your skirt Sailor-
THIS IS THE 2FER INFERNO OFFER:
Any artist that submits a poem or story to INFERNO for this theme, 'Tender is the Night', will receive 1 FREE PAY THEME WHICH CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY FUTURE INFERNO or ARTIST CHALLENGE GALLERY. It’s your choice.

This is our recompense theme for the month of March. To participate please pay the piper ($7) with the Magical PayPal button below:

Send entries to the Mistress HERE.

*Image found in the public domain.

Calm Before the Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:55:00 +0000

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."

~Willa Cather (1873-1947, author)

The Writers of

THE INFERNO

present:

Gallery 32

'Calm Before the Storm'

March 5, 2011

Attention Readers: To use any of the work you see in this gallery in another publication, contact the writer at their website link listed with their work.

The work in The Inferno is created for a mature audience. Some pieces may not be suitable for children or those sensitive to adult subject matter. Viewers visit our site at their own discretion.

Calm Before the Storm - Ray Shuell

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:54:00 +0000

Song for John

I can tell of my life
How things have gone
My darkest of skies
My brightest of suns
I can speak of the past
Or the day that I’m in
Of my hopes and my dreams
My good deeds my sins

All that is old
All that is new
The longest of days
The needs that are few
I can tell you it all
I can tell you the truth
Tell you no more
Than I miss you

I remember it all
Long summers so warm
Surf sounds on the breeze
The calm then the storm
So much has gone by now
So much has changed
Just like the moon
We waxed then we waned

Brothers in arms
We stood side by side
Watching the waves
The wind and the tides
First there were three
Then there were two
I just needed to say
That I miss you

Ray Shuell

*A dedication to Abigail

Calm Before the Storm - Barbra Dean

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:50:00 +0000

To My Wife

As you lay in your bed in your last hours of life
I still thought you’d go on forever
So solid and stable, dependable, able
I knew you would always endeavour
To hang onto the world, the world that you loved
For you’d given it all that you had
And as life slipped away I knew that the day
Would end with me feeling so sad
We sat and we chatted about this and that
And I whispered how much I cared
I thanked you for our life, for being my wife
And for the wonderful memories we’d shared
We’d been through a lot so I couldn’t complain
About years that quickly advanced
We’d laughed and we’d cried since you were my bride
We’d travelled the world and we’d danced
So you leaving me now at the end of your days
Doesn’t mean that I’m finished or through
For deep in my heart I know we’ll never part
As my thoughts will be always of you.

Barbra Dean

Calm Before the Storm - Ann Field

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:36:00 +0000

Widow Murphy's Peppers

Widow Murphy had quite the garden. She grew the most flavorful vegetables anyone could ever hope to taste. When she came down the street with a basket to share, you could be assured you were in for a real treat.

Although, as these things go, there was a problem. Widow Murphy’s neighbor, Herbert, started helping himself to her vegetables. He’d climb over the fence at night and strip her plants bare. This really upset the Widow but she was at a loss how to keep Herbert out of her garden.

One day while she was talking to a neighbor about Herbert stealing her haul, an odd calm came over the Widow. An idea had just occurred to the her and if you‘d seen her face, you’d have thought the Widow had seen Jesus himself! She quietly went home and didn’t say a word.

It was about that same time Widow Murphy started growing peppers. She told all the neighbors they would be the tastiest peppers they had ever eaten but they needed to wait until they were ripe. You see, these were VERY special peppers from Uruguay. The Widow told them -if these Uruguay peppers were picked from the vine to soon or eaten before they were ripe- they could burn a hole right through the roof of your mouth or worse!

Of course Herbert overheard all and didn’t believe a thing that crazy old Widow said. He was going to get her peppers before she had a chance to harvest them and that was all there was to it.

We don’t know exactly what happened. It seemed too calm in the neighborhood, but a couple weeks later, it sounded like a tornado hit! One of the neighbors actually witnessed the explosion and swears that he saw Herbert rocket straight up out of the roof of his house! He said the strangest thing was that Herbert was holding a handful of Widow Murphy’s peppers!

Herbert was never seen again but all the neighbors say he probably moved to Uruguay.

The End.

Ann Field
Red Chair Gallery

Calm Before the Storm - Sarah Donnellan

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:36:00 +0000

Turbulence

Destruction was on a new journey.
To a small town, to a quiet town,
To those with big dreams and little means.
To those who hold tight to one another.

And in their firm bones they could feel it.
And with their skilled eyes they could see it.
The dense gray sky as she came alive.
Brewing, conjuring, heavy daunting clouds.

Anxious, alert faces in windows.
Familiar feelings, in fear, in awe.
Lightening calls crisply, streaking, cracking,
Thunder responds rumbling, angry, roaring.

Quickly, indifferent, the assault begins.
As she blasts down her rain in torrents,
The wind comes in waves upon the land.
And the people know they are surrounded.

Out of the depths of her energy,
It is born. The perfect tornado.
So tightly wrapped around, up and down
Upon reaching the ground, the path is clear.

Running scared to their safety below,
The air tightens as the pressure drops.
The sound of its power reach them then.
Deafening, frightening, all hold their breath.

Above the twister moves eagerly.
While tearing up and so crashing down,
Whisking and soaring and speeding past.
To the end of town, an exit is made.

The storm and her danger, quickly pass.
Emerging out into the sunlight,
The people see and the people stare.
The people sink to the ground and they cry.

Sarah Donnellan
Artistic Rhythms

Upcoming Challenge - Calm Before The Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:31:00 +0000

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."
~Willa Cather (1873-1947, author)

'Calm Before The Storm'

is our FREE
theme challenge for March

Your choice of interpretation is

WIDE OPEN,
fellow literary pirate

*If you are so moved,

include a relevant

image and a few words

about your inspiration*

Due date for

'Calm Before The Storm'

is SATURDAY, March 5, 2011

(by 7pm Central Time)

Send submissions to the Mistress HERE.

Dreamstime

What Dreams May Come

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:50:00 +0000

"Dreaming is an act of pure imagination,
attesting in all men a creative power,
which if it were available in waking,
would make every man a Dante or Shakespeare."

~H.F. Hedge

The Writers of

THE INFERNO

present:

Gallery 31

'What Dreams May Come'

February 19, 2011

What Dreams May Come - Barbra Dean

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:50:00 +0000

LIVING THE DREAM?

We're living the dream, we've followed the path
To live in the sun and have the last laugh
To leave all the rain, the miserable weather
To start a new life for enjoyment together
We don't read the papers from our native UK
It just brings depression to read what they say
So we sit in the sun in our lovely new casa
Everything's great? So why the Que Pasa?
I look around at the friends that we've made
Since we've been here - but the price that we've paid?
Not in the euros, as that's why we're here
The sun and sungria, and price of the beer.
No, that's all amazing, but something's not right
Why am I not sleeping but thinking all night?
What are these tears on my pillow each day
Why do I suddenly feel the need to pray?
I miss my children. Simple as that.
I'm paying the price for being ex-pat.
One is in Holland, the other UK
And we are in Spain at the end of the day
So where is the family? Split in three ways
And when do we meet? I am counting the days.
Can't pop in for a chat, about this and that
It's text, write or phone - is that a home?
I miss them to bits if they only knew
How I long to have their faces in view
To go for nice walks, to show them our love
To hear just their voices, it isn't enough
I want to share the life we have here
The house is for them, but not just once a year
So what is the answer? What can we do?
To bring us together -I haven't a clue
So is this the dream, have we followed our hearts?
If it is and we have, why am I torn in small parts?
What are these tears? Why am I crying?
If I said it's eutopia I would be lying
I love our new home, yes I love our life here
But is it so wrong to want your kids near?
You can't have it all, and I lay my soul bare
I miss them so much that the dream's a nightmare.

Barbra Dean

What Dreams May Come - Rusty Harden

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Envisage

I'm on a journey, never reaching the end
I see all the people, never finding a friend
Truth is still hiding, just as it did before
Beauty keeps changing, I can't see anymore
I have waking moments, trying to understand
The dream overtakes me, now I journey again

Rusty Harden
A Brush With Rusty
Falling Amber Rain
Rusty Harden

What Dreams May Come - Ann Field

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:49:00 +0000

As to what happened, I still don’t know. It may have been a dream. I’ll leave that for you to decide.

The house I was looking at had been repossessed by the bank and had set empty for a couple years. It was in my price range and I knew I could fix it up. Even the day I went to see the house with the realtor, I remember seeing him working in his yard next door. He caught my eye and smiled.

When I moved in, this new neighbor, Manuel Cortez was first person I met. He was just a pleasant older gentleman and immediately offered to help me get settled. He worked right along side the movers bringing in boxes and furniture all day. When they were done, he went home.

He looked to be in his late 70’s or early 80’s. He seemed in very good physical condition and there was no indication of the typical health issues of the elderly. He was alert, full of questions, and obviously well educated. He had such engaging laughter that he made me laugh.

I have no family or anyone to help me, so having Manuel as a neighbor quickly became a comfort and priceless aid in refurbishing my home. We’d talk for hours. I remember how he’d listened intently as I told him about my plans for the house. He seemed to relish in every detail.

As I think of it now, I never asked him for anything -but he helped me with everything. He’d just come over and pick up a paint brush or hammer and get started. Even as I sit here and look around I can see his work in every part of my home.

He built shelves for the garage and helped paint the house inside and out. There’s an old concrete bird bath he set up on my front courtyard. He found it somewhere on the back of my property. He said he’d always enjoyed watching the birds in the morning and I would too.

Then it happened. I had invited Manuel to have dinner after a long day working on the house. When he got up to leave he said. “ Everything looks great. You’re going to be fine.”

As he started out the door, I remember he turned and look back with that big broad smile. I should have stopped him. I should have questioned him.

The following morning, I noticed Manuel’s house looked empty. I ran over to see what was going on. I banged on the front door, but he wasn’t there. I stood totally confused. Something was wrong. I looked back toward his front yard and realized there was a Real Estate ‘For Sale’ sign posted at the curb..

Frantically, I called the number on the sign. The realtor told me no one had lived in that house for months. It was owned by a young couple who had moved out of state. I asked if he knew anyone by the name of Manuel Cortez. He said, Manuel was the man that had built and owned my house. He died several years ago.

Ann Field

*Drawing Courtesy of
The Red Chair Gallery

What Dreams May Come - Riika Infinityy

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:49:00 +0000

The Merging of Dreams

A masterpiece that

will never be

completed without you

A dream that

never fades

because of you

A sanctuary that held

everything we believe in together

Visiting it every single day

in my own world

My happiness is never

to be known until you came

The miracle of

our dreams clashes

together is

when the

right time comes

for the chains

to be all unlocked

I know you will

definitely be there for me

Riika Infinityy

Inspiration: This is dedicated to a special guy that appeared in my life, James. I don't wish for eternity since what I treasure is the time we spent together in the present, the dream will never fade if we hold it close to our hearts. (I would like to thank The Artist Challenge and The Inferno: A Writer's Challenge, hosted by both Vikki and Sarah, for this wonderful and inspiring theme "What Dreams May Come". I believe that when we share our dreams and hobbies together, they may come into reality.)